Spinal fracture
fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column
A spinal fracture, also called a vertebral fracture or a broken back, is a fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column. Most types of spinal fracture confer a significant risk of spinal cord injury. After the immediate trauma, there is a risk of spinal cord injury (or worsening of an already injured spine) if the fracture is unstable, that is, likely to change alignment without internal or external fixation.
Types
Cervical fracture
Fracture of C1, including Jefferson fracture
Fracture of C2, including Hangman's fracture
Flexion teardrop fracture – a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of a cervical vertebra
Clay-shoveler fracture – fracture through the spinous process of a vertebra occurring at any of the lower cervical or upper thoracic vertebrae
Burst fracture – in which a vertebra breaks from a high-energy axial load
Compression fracture – a collapse of a vertebra, often resulting in the form of a wedge-shape due to larger compression anteriorly
Chance fracture – compression injury to the anterior portion of a vertebral body with concomitant distraction injury to posterior elements
Holdsworth fracture – an unstable fracture dislocation of the thoracolumbar junction of the spine
Distraction is where there is a pulling apart of the vertebrae. Distraction injuries generally cause breaks in osseous and ligamentous supporting structures, and are therefore generally unstable. A distraction injury on the posterior side of a vertebra can lead to a compression fracture on its anterior side.
Cervical fracture
A medical history and physical examination can be sufficient in clearing the cervical spine. Notable clinical prediction rules to determine which patients need medical imaging are Canadian C-spine rule and the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS).
The AO Foundation has developed a descriptive system for cervical fractures, the AOSpine subaxial cervical spine fracture classification system.
The indication to surgically stabilize a cervical fracture can be estimated from the Subaxial Injury Classification (SLIC).
“Spinal fracture” enters the record as fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Spinal, fracture and affecting can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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